Apparatus and method for attaching a fitment to a web of film

Abstract

An apparatus and method for attaching a fitment to a web of film in a form, fill, and seal packaging machine is provided. The apparatus includes a press for orienting the fitments on one side of a web of film, and a film piercer and sealer. The film piercer and sealer includes a heated face and tip and is designed to contemporaneously pierce and seal of web of film to the fitment.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for attaching a fitment having a flange and an aperture to a web of film in a form, fill, and seal flexible bag making machine comprising: means for orienting the fitment on one side of the film including a movable press and ejector pin; and   means for contemporaneously piercing and sealing the film to the flange of the fitment and within the aperture of the fitment.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the movable press urges the fitment and film towards the means for contemporaneously piercing and sealing. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for contemporaneously piercing and sealing the film to the fitment includes a heated face, and a heated tip extending from the heated face. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the heated face has a slope of approximately 5° to about 20°. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus for attaching a fitment including a flange and aperture to a web of film comprising: means for orienting the fitment on one side of the film; and   heating means for sealing a portion of the film to the flange and within the aperture of the fitment.   
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the heating means includes a heated face, and a heated tip extending from the heated face. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the heating means is maintained at a temperature greater than the softening point of the film. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: the means for orienting the fitment includes a movable press; and   the heating means includes stripper means for removing the fitment and film from contact with the heating means after the fitment is attached to a portion of the film.   
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the heated tip has an apex having an angle of approximately 15° to about 42°. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the heated face has a slope of approximately 5° to about 20°. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus for attaching a fitment to a web of film in a form, fill, and seal flexible bag making machine having a film tube comprising: means for orienting a fitment on one side of the film;   a heat sealer located within a recess in the film tube, the heat sealer including a heated face and a heat seal tip extending from the face, the heat seal tip and heated face cooperating to pierce and seal, a portion of the film to a flange of the fitment and within an aperture of the fitment; and   means for energizing the heat sealer located within the film tube.   
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the heated face and tip are maintained at a temperature greater than the softening point of the film. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the heat seal tip has an apex having an angle of approximately 15° to about 42°. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the heated face has a slope of approximately 5° to about 20°. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for orienting the fitment includes a movable heat press which urges the film and fitment towards the heat sealer. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the diameter of the heat seal tip is determined by the formula:   Diameter=Inner diameter of the fitment-(2×thickness of film)+0.002 to 0.008.     
     
     
       17. An apparatus for attaching a fitment including a flange and aperture to a web of film comprising: means for orienting a fitment on one side of the film; and   heating means for piercing and sealing the film to the fitment, the heating means including a heated face and a heated tip extending from the heated face, the heated tip and face cooperating to seal a portion of the film to the flange and within the aperture of the fitment.   
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the heated face and tip are maintained at a temperature greater than the temperature of the film. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the heated tip has an apex having an angle of approximately 15° to about 42°. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the heated face has a slope of approximately 5° to about 20°. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the diameter of the heated tip is approximately determined by the formula:   Diameter =Inner diameter of the fitment-(2×thickness of film)+0.002 to 0.008.     
     
     
       22. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein: the means for orienting the fitment includes a movable press having an ejector pin; and   the heating means includes a stripper for removing the film and attached fitment from the heated face and tip.   
     
     
       23. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein: the web of film passes over a film tube; and   the heating means is located within a recess in the film tube.   
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim 23 including energizing means located within the film tube for energizing the heating means. 
     
     
       25. A method for attaching a fitment to a web of film utilizing a heat seal apparatus including a heated face and heated tip comprising the steps of: heating the heat seal apparatus;   orienting the fitment on one side of the film;   moving the fitment and film towards the heat seal apparatus so that a portion of the film begins to melt;   continuing to move the fitment and film towards the heat seal apparatus so that the heated tip pierces the film and is received within an aperture in the fitment; and   continuing to move the fitment and film towards the heat seal apparatus so that the film is sealed to a flange of the fitment and within the aperture of the fitment.   
     
     
       26. The method of claim 25 wherein the heat seal apparatus is heated to a temperature greater than the melting point of the film. 
     
     
       27. The method of claim 25 including the step of moving the fitment and film away from the heat seal apparatus after the fitment is secured to the film. 
     
     
       28. The method of claim 27 including the steps of: moving the film a desired distance; and   orienting a second fitment to be sealed to the film at a new location.   
     
     
       29. The method of claim 25 including the step of allowing the film within the aperture to melt sufficiently so that middle layers of the film are not exposed. 
     
     
       30. A method of attaching a fitment to a web of film in an aseptic form, fill, and seal flexible bag making machine comprising the step of contemporaneously piercing and sealing the film to the fitment. 
     
     
       31. The method of claim 30 including the step of sealing a portion of the film within an aperture in the fitment. 
     
     
       32. The method of claim 31 including the step of melting a portion of the film so that middle layers of the film within the aperture are not exposed.